Flexible flange apparatus with a flexible membrane

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure generally relates to improved water closet flanges and methods for installing such water closet flanges. In one exemplary embodiment, an improved water closet flange apparatus includes a flexible conduit portion (i.e. sleeve) and an integral membrane element sealing the top opening of the flexible sleeve. The membrane element is made of flexible materials such that the membrane element may be removed without breaking into pieces. In one embodiment, the integral membrane element includes indented portions to facilitate its removal. In another embodiment, the flange apparatus includes an outer flange connected to the flexible sleeve. Related methods for installing the disclosed flange apparatus between plumbing fixture discharges and waste drainpipes are also described.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for connectingconduits, such as plumbing fixtures to waste drain conduits, and moreparticularly to a flange apparatus including a flexible sleeve that hasa flexible, integral membrane element that seals an opening in theflexible sleeve.

BACKGROUND

Water closets, also called toilets, are waste disposal devices commonlyinstalled in most bathrooms. These kinds of plumbing appliancesgenerally include a water-storing receptacle called a water tank that isattached to a siphon seat-shaped bowl called toilet bowl. Periodically,waste is removed from the toilet bowl by flushing, thereby allowingwater to drain from the water tank through the toilet bowl and into awaste drainpipe. In order to work, however, the toilet bowl must beconnected to the waste drainpipe by fluid carrying conduits. Typically,the toilet bowl will sit flat on a floor and connect with a rigid watercloset flange. The water closet flange in turn connects with conduitsleading to a waste drainpipe.

Conventional water closet flanges are typically designed to interconnectbetween conduits lying on a common longitudinal axis. Accordingly, suchwater closet flanges are formed to be rigid and generally do not provideany kind of flexibility along their conduit portion and are thereforeinsufficient for allowing any non-negligible distortion of the flange.Such flexibility may be desirable in situations where the waste drainpipe has suffered deformation caused by stress or external forcesapplied by the materials surrounding the pipe (e.g. concrete, cement,etc.). These stresses may result in the opening of the pipe taking anoval shape, which in turn, would prevent prior art rigid flanges fromentering the pipe, thus requiring the use of a wax seal applied directlyto the pipe opening.

Moreover, flexible flanges may be desirable when connecting betweendischarge pipes and waste drain outlets having offset, misaligned,angled, or otherwise incongruous configurations. Use of rigid flanges insuch situations would necessitate the use of wax seal applied directlyto the pipe opening.

Still further, it has been found that dimensions of drainpipes oftenvary depending on the manufacturer. This situation is common injurisdictions where such dimensions are not regulated and manufacturersminimize cost by manufacturing drainpipes to be thinner and/or smallerthan needed.

As can be appreciated, the aforementioned problems are typically moreprevalent in those jurisdictions lacking proper regulations, and havingvarying construction methods and materials. As explained above, becauseof the rigidity of the conduit portions of the closet flanges that arecurrently available, there are several problems related with oval shapedpipes, incongruous pipes and under or over sized pipes. Mostprofessionals who deal with these kinds of problems turn to the use ofwax seals and/or modification of the waste drainpipe. However, thesesolutions are not reliable because the seal connection is not strongenough to prevent leakage and associated odors, and oftentimes they canbe expensive and inefficient due to delays in the installation process.

In most instances, plumbing code standards require leak tests to beconducted for all piping system installations. As a result, conventionalwater closet flanges are often designed with a rigid element for sealingthe bore of the flange to allow leak tests to be conducted, which ofteninvolve applying hydrostatic or air pressure for a fixed amount of timeand determining whether there is an unacceptable amount of pressure dropinside the pipeline. After leak tests have been completed, the appliedpressure is relieved and the sealing element may then be removed. If thewater closet is not immediately installed after the water closet flangeis installed, the sealing element may be kept intact to prevent thesewage gases from being released into the atmosphere at the constructionsite. The sealing element is removed when the water closet is ready forinstallation. Rigid sealing elements, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC)or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), have been found to bedifficult to remove and often inconveniently break into pieces and fallinto the drainpipe during the removal process.

Improved water closet flanges for addressing the above-describedproblems are desired. Related methods for installing improved watercloset flanges are also desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure generally relates to improved water closetflanges and methods for sealing such water closet flanges. In oneexemplary embodiment, an improved water closet flange apparatus includesa flexible conduit portion (i.e. sleeve) and a flexible membrane elementsealing an opening in an upper portion of the flexible sleeve. Theflexible membrane is integrally molded to the upper portion of thesleeve and may be removed before installing a plumbing fixture over theflange apparatus. In some embodiments, the upper portion of the flexiblesleeve may be connected to an outer flange that is seated against asurface disposed substantially between the plumbing fixture dischargeand the waste drainpipe outlet.

Related methods for installing the disclosed flange apparatus betweenplumbing fixture discharges and waste drainpipes are also described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of one embodiment of a flexibleflange apparatus according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A illustrates a partial sectional, partial elevational view of theflange apparatus of FIG. 1 in its operative position between anexemplary plumbing discharge outlet and an exemplary waste drainpipe;

FIG. 2B illustrates a detailed sectional view of the plumbing fixturedischarge seated against the flexible flange apparatus;

FIG. 2C illustrates a detailed elevational view of a sealing apparatusof the flexible flange apparatus disposed against the waste drainpipe;

FIG. 3 illustrates an elevational sectional view of exemplary distortionangles of the flange apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates an elevational sectional view of the flange apparatusinstalled in a diagonally oriented waste drainpipe;

FIG. 5 illustrates an elevational sectional view of the flange apparatusinstalled in a horizontally offset waste drainpipe;

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevational sectional view of the flange apparatusinstalled in a horizontally oriented waste drainpipe;

FIG. 7A illustrates an isometric view of the flange apparatus; fordisposal within a waste drainpipe having a substantially circular crosssection.

FIG. 7B illustrates an isometric view of the flange apparatus fordisposal within a waste drainpipe and having a substantially oval crosssection.

FIG. 8 illustrates partial sectional, partial elevational view ofanother embodiment of a flexible flange apparatus according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of yet another embodiment of aflexible flange apparatus according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a flexible flange apparatushaving an integral flexible membrane element.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective, cut-away view of an exemplaryembodiment of a flange apparatus having an integral flexible membraneelement.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the aflexible flange apparatus having an integral flexible membrane element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of a flexible flange apparatus and related methods forinstalling a flexible flange apparatus according to the presentdisclosure are described. It is to be understood, however, that thefollowing explanation is merely exemplary in describing the devices andmethods of the present disclosure. Accordingly, several modifications,changes and substitutions are contemplated.

FIGS. 1 and 2A illustrate a flexible flange apparatus 10 for connectingbetween a plumbing fixture discharge 12 and a waste drainpipe outlet 14.The flange apparatus may include an outer flange 16 and a sleeve 18disposed through an aperture 20 of the outer flange. In someembodiments, the sleeve 18 is integrally formed with the outer flange 16as a single piece, while in other embodiments, the sleeve is removablyseated on the outer flange. The outer flange 16 may include one or moreapertures 22 formed through the outer flange from an upper surface 24 toa lower surface 26 of the outer flange. The apertures 22 may receivefasteners (not shown) for securing the flange apparatus 10 to a surface,such as a floor disposed between a plumbing fixture discharge and awaste drainpipe outlet. The outer flange 16 may include additionalapertures 28 formed therethrough for facilitating connection of theouter flange to a plumbing fixture discharge. The apertures 28 may takeany suitable shape and size to accommodate varying plumbing fixturedischarges.

The sleeve 18 includes an upper portion 30, which is seated in a radialgroove 34 defined in the upper surface 24 of the outer flange 16. Insome embodiments, the outer flange 16 includes a uniform upper surface24 with no radial grooves and the upper portion 30 of the sleeve isseated on the substantially planar upper surface 24 of the outer flange.While the outer flange 16 facilitates the securing of the flangeapparatus 10 to a surface, it is to be appreciated that the flexiblesleeve 12 can be disposed in between a plumbing fixture discharge and awaste drainpipe outlet without the outer flange 16. The upper portion 30of the sleeve 18 includes an inwardly-extending radial lip 36, which issufficiently flexible to deflect downwardly relative to the uppersurface 24 of the outer flange 16 for reasons to be described.

The sleeve 18 further includes a lower portion 38 generally defined asthe portion of the sleeve extending below the upper surface 24 of theouter flange 16. In one embodiment, the sleeve 18 is made ofsubstantially uniform material, and thus, the lower portion 38 issufficiently flexible to permit distortion of the lower portion toachieve non-negligible angles of deflection relative to a non-distortedlongitudinal axis thereof. In one example, a non-negligible angle ofdeflection may be ten degrees or more of deflection of one end of thesleeve 18 relative to an opposing end of the sleeve. The sleeve 18 maybe formed of various materials to permit non-negligible flexibility. Forexample, the sleeve 18 may be formed of materials having a hardnessranging from 35 shore A to 90 shore A, or from 35 shore A to 65 shore A,or more specifically about 50 shore A. As can be appreciated, theuniform nature of the sleeve 18 leads to a reduction in manufacturingcosts and the likelihood of error during installation. Also, the sleeve18 may be of any suitable length. In one example, the sleeve 18 is 7-8inches in length.

The sleeve 18 further includes one or more sealing elements 44 extendingannularly about the sleeve. In some embodiments, the sealing elements 44form a portion of the sleeve 18, and therefore, constitute a region ofincreased diameter relative to other regions of the sleeve. For example,referring to FIG. 2A, the sealing element 44 generally corresponds toregion 40, which is larger in diameter relative to region 41 of thesleeve 18. As illustrated, the sealing element 44 has a maximum diameterat its upper longitudinal end and generally decreases in diameter to itslower longitudinal end adjacent to the beginning of region 41. In thismanner, the sealing element 44 provides a tight water seal with a largerlongitudinal coverage than other sealing structures. It is contemplatedthat the sealing elements 44 may take other shapes so long as they sealthe interface between the sleeve 18 and a waste drainpipe. For example,the sealing elements 44 may be modified to have a substantially uniformdiameter, an increasing diameter from the lower longitudinal end to theupper longitudinal end of the sealing elements, or a varying diameterbetween longitudinal ends of the sealing elements.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the flange apparatus 10 is shown disposed betweenthe plumbing fixture discharge 12 and the waste drainpipe 14 lying on acommon longitudinal axis L. For purposes of this specification, aplumbing fixture discharge and a waste drainpipe lying on a commonlongitudinal axis are defined to be congruous. Accordingly, a plumbingfixture discharge and a waste drainpipe not lying on a commonlongitudinal axis are defined to be incongruous. The plumbing fixturedischarge 12 may be seated against the sleeve 18 such that an extendedportion 42 of the plumbing discharge comes into contact withinwardly-extending lip 36, thereby deflecting the lip downwardlyrelative to the upper surface 24 of the outer flange 16. As shown inFIG. 2B, the inward lip 36 may deflect downwardly beyond the uppersurface 24 of the outer flange 16 when in contact with the plumbingdischarge 12. The lip 36 provides a tight seal that will prevent gas andfluids from leaking from the interconnection between the plumbingdischarge 12 and the drainpipe 14 and the seal is sufficient to notbreak even if the toilet becomes backed up. Moreover, the sealingprotection provided by the lip 36 eliminates the need for separateadditional elements, such as regular wax seals or foam rubber gaskets.

Referring to FIG. 2C, one of the sealing elements 44 of the sleeve 18 isshown disposed against an inner wall 46 of the waste drainpipe 14. Asdiscussed above, the sealing element 44 provides a tight seal betweenthe sleeve 18 and the drainpipe 14, thereby preventing fluid and gasesfrom traveling back up the sides of the sleeve when installed.

Referring again to FIG. 2A, the lower portion 38 may include one or morecorrugated portions 48, which aid flexibility of the sleeve 18 whilepreventing kinking during flexing. As can be appreciated, the corrugatedportions 48 along with the inherent flexibility of the sleeve 18 itselfprovides an increased degree of flexibility relative to conventionalpipes that are designed for discharge pipes and waste drainpipes lyingon a common longitudinal axis. Indeed, the flexible sleeve 18 withcorrugated portions 48 facilitates distortion of the sleeve to achievevarying degrees of deflection of the sleeve relative to a longitudinalaxis L of the sleeve when in a non-distorted position. For example,referring to FIG. 3, the flexible sleeve 18 with corrugated portions 48may be distorted to achieve 30 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees ofdeflection defined by the angular displacement of longitudinal axes L′,L″ and L′″, respectively, relative to the non-distorted longitudinalaxis L. In this example, the longitudinal axes L′, L″ and L′″ refer tothe longitudinal axis of a distal end 50 of the sleeve, whereas thelongitudinal axis L is the axis of a proximal end 52 of the flexiblesleeve. Moreover, the illustration of 30, 60 and 90 degrees merelyexemplifies various deflection angles and it is to be understood thatthe sleeve 18 may be distorted to achieve any angle of deflectionbetween 0 and 90 degrees, and even angles beyond 90 degrees. Stillfurther, the resultant deflection angle between the ends 50, 52 of thesleeve 18 may be 0 degrees, yet the sleeve may be distorted along amidsection to accommodate installation between offset plumbingdischarges and drainpipes.

In some embodiments, the entire sleeve 18 (including the upper 30 andlower 38 portions) may be formed of material having a greater degree ofhardness relative to the previously described embodiments. For example,the hardness of the sleeve 18 may range up to a relatively rigid 120Rockwell R. In embodiments where the sleeve 18 is formed of relativelyrigid materials, the sleeve 18 may include any number of corrugatedportions 48 to impart the desired flexibility to the sleeve. In theseembodiments, an additional soft sealing element, such as an O-ring, maybe added around the lower portion 38 and a wax seal or soft plasticmaterial may be added adjacent to the lip 36. In still otherembodiments, the upper portion 30 of the sleeve 18 may be formed of aflexible material while the lower portion 38 is formed of a relativelyrigid material. In this example, the lower portion 38 maintainsflexibility via the corrugated portions 48.

In practice, the flange apparatus 10 is used to connect a plumbingfixture discharge, such as the distal portion of a toilet, to a wastedrainpipe, such as a sewage line. In facilitating this connection, theflange apparatus 10 provides a tight seal and reliable connection toprevent any undue leakage or other undesirable consequence of theconnection. During installation, the flange apparatus 10 may be seatedagainst a surface disposed between a plumbing fixture discharge and awaste drainpipe, such as a floor surface. The sleeve 18 is flexibleenough to permit installation between offset, misaligned, angled, orotherwise incongruous plumbing fixture discharges and waste drainpipeoutlets. Referring to FIG. 4, the outer flange 14 is seated against afloor surface 50 and the sleeve 18 is shown installed in a wastedrainpipe 60 oriented diagonally relative to the upper portion 30 of thesleeve and a plumbing discharge 62. In particular, the plumbingdischarge 62 and the upper portion 30 of the sleeve 18 lie on a commonlongitudinal axis L1, whereas the waste drainpipe 60 and a lower end 64of the sleeve 18 lie on a common longitudinal axis L2. The angulardisplacement between the longitudinal axes L1 and L2 is defined byθ_(L). The corrugated portion or portions 48 of the sleeve 18facilitates distortion of the sleeve to achieve the desired angulardisplacement or deflection. Indeed, the installer may manually achievethe desired deflection (e.g., by bending the sleeve), therebyeliminating the need for additional equipment or materials forinstallation.

Referring to FIG. 5, the sleeve 18 is shown installed in a wastedrainpipe 70 oriented in an offset manner relative to the upper portion30 and a plumbing discharge 72. In particular, the plumbing discharge 72and the upper portion 30 of the sleeve 18 lie on a common longitudinalaxis L1′, whereas the waste drainpipe 70 and a lower end 74 of thesleeve 18 lie on a common longitudinal axis L2′. The angulardisplacement between the longitudinal axes L1′ and L2′ is 0 degrees, yetthe longitudinal axes are linearly displaced by a distance LD. Thecorrugated portion or portions 48 of the sleeve 18 facilitatesdistortion of the sleeve to achieve the desired linear displacement.Indeed, the installer may manually achieve the desired deflection (e.g.,by bending the sleeve), thereby eliminating the need for additionalequipment or materials for installation.

Referring to FIG. 6, the sleeve 18 is shown installed in a wastedrainpipe 80 oriented in a substantially orthogonal manner relative tothe upper portion 30 and a plumbing discharge 82. In particular, theplumbing discharge 82 and the upper portion 30 of the sleeve 18 lie on acommon longitudinal axis L1″, whereas the waste drainpipe 80 and a lowerend 84 of the sleeve 14 lie on a common longitudinal axis L2″. Theangular displacement between the longitudinal axes L1″ and L2″ is 90degrees. The corrugated portion or portions 48 of the sleeve 18facilitates distortion of the sleeve to achieve the desired angulardisplacement. Indeed, the installer may manually achieve the desireddeflection (e.g., by bending the sleeve), thereby eliminating the needfor additional equipment or materials for installation.

It is to be appreciated that the flexible flange apparatus 10 hasadditional benefits, such as the ability to deform to fit oval-shaped orundersized pipes. Referring to FIG. 7A, in one embodiment, the sleeve 18has a substantially circular cross section when not subjected toexternal forces. Such a configuration is desirable to accommodateconnection to a circular-shaped waste drainpipe 90. Referring to FIG.7B, the flexibility of the sleeve 18 permits deformation of the sleevesuch that the sleeve may be deformed to have a substantially oval crosssection, thereby accommodating connection to an oval-shaped wastedrainpipe 92. The sleeve 18 may be deformed to fit a variety ofnon-circular pipes other than oval-shaped pipes. As can be appreciated,the sleeve 18 may accommodate connection to a variety of drainpipes ofnon-standardized schedules and to plastic or cast-iron drainpipes. Also,the sleeve 18 may accommodate connection to waste drainpipes havingvarying sizes. For example, the sleeve 18 can be implemented in wastedrainpipes having 3 inch (7.5 cm) and 4 inch (10 cm) diameters becauseof the flexibility of the sleeve. Alternatively, the flexible sleeve 18can be implemented into either 3 inch or 4 inch drainpipes whenutilizing an appropriately-sized seal, such as the seal 44.

While various embodiments of a flexible flange apparatus and relatedmethods of installing the flexible flange apparatus between congruousand incongruous plumbing discharges and waste drainpipes have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example only, and not limitation. For example, referring toFIG. 8, the flexible flange apparatus 10 may be modified to be shorterin length than the flexible flange apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1-7.In one embodiment, the short embodiment of the flexible flange apparatus10 may comprise an outer flange 16 and a sleeve 18 substantially similarto the outer flange and sleeve of FIGS. 1-8, except that the sleeve 18comprises a single corrugated portion 48 and sealing element 44. Suchconfiguration may be desirable when connecting between a plumbingdischarge outlet and a waste drainpipe positioned substantially adjacentto one another. In some embodiments, the short version of the flexibleflange apparatus 10 may be 2-3 inches in length. Still further,referring to FIG. 9, the sleeve 14 may have no corrugated portions, yetstill have sufficient flexibility to deflect at a wide variety of anglesrelative to the non-distorted longitudinal axis L, including anglesbetween 0 and 90 degrees, and even angles beyond 90 degrees.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that additional elements may beincorporated into the flange apparatus 10 disclosed herein to satisfyvarious external design considerations and needs. For example,regulations often require water or air tests to ensure the absence ofany leakage in the waste drainpipe. Conducting such tests, however,requires the top opening of an installed flange apparatus to be sealedeither by an integral sealing element or an external plug. In thisregard, FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the flange apparatus 10that includes a flexible sleeve 18 that is substantially similar to theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 and further includes an integralmembrane element 100 sealing the top opening of the flexible sleeve 18.The membrane element 100 is a flexible membrane made of substantiallythe same flexible materials that are used to form the flexible sleeve18. Accordingly, the membrane element 100 has substantially the sameflexibility as the flexible sleeve 18. Being an integral part of thesleeve 18, the membrane element is molded to the upper portion 30 usingan injection molding process or any other equivalent process. Theintegral membrane element 100 provides an initial seal for the topopening of the flexible sleeve 18 and allows leak tests to be conductedin the waste drainpipe outlet (not shown). It should be appreciated thatthe waste drainpipe outlet may include one or more piping systems thatare in-line with the flange apparatus 10.

Once the leak tests are completed, the membrane element 100 can be cutout and removed using a cutting tool, such as a box cutter. In someembodiments, grooves may be formed in the membrane element 100 toprovide indented portions that facilitate the removal of the membraneelement 100. The membrane element 100 in FIG. 10, for example, includesa circular groove 102, a lateral groove 104 extending from the circulargroove 102 to a peripheral groove 106, which extends along the peripheryof the membrane element 100. To remove the membrane element 100, one mayinsert a box cutter through the membrane element 100 at the circulargroove 102 and cut through the indented portions of membrane element 100along the lateral and peripheral grooves 104 and 106, respectively. Ofcourse, the grooves may be configured in a variety of ways to facilitatethe removal of the membrane element 100, and thus are not limited to thecircular, lateral, and peripheral arrangements just described. After theremoval of the membrane element 100, the upper portion 30 is left withan inwardly-extending radial lip 36 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective, cut-away view of another embodimentof the flange apparatus 10 having a flexible membrane element 100. Inthis example, both surfaces (upper and lower) of the membrane element100 include grooves 102, 104, and 106 formed therein to furtherfacilitate the cutting of the membrane element 100. After the membraneelement 100 is removed, the upper portion 30 may receive a plumbingfixture discharge as described previously. It is to be appreciated thatthe flexible nature of the membrane 100 allows the membrane to beremoved without breaking into pieces, thus preventing the undesiredresult of portions of the membrane falling into the drainpipe.

It is also to be appreciated that the membrane element 100 can beincorporated into any of the flexible flange apparatus described in thepresent application according to the principles disclosed herein. Forexample, FIG. 12 illustrates a flexible flange apparatus 10 thatincludes an outer flange 16, a flexible sleeve 18 having an upperportion 30 that is seated on a surface of the outer flange 16, and amembrane element 100 sealing a top opening formed in the upper portion30. The flexible sleeve 18 also has a lower portion 38 that can beconnected to a waste drainpipe. The outer flange 16 includes apertures22 formed through the outer flange 16 such that the apertures 22 mayreceive fasteners (not shown) for securing the flange apparatus 10 to asurface, such as a floor disposed between a plumbing fixture dischargeand a waste drainpipe outlet. The installation of the flange apparatus10 may begin by connecting the lower portion 38 of the flexible sleeve18 to a waste drainpipe outlet and securing the outer flange 16 to afloor surface. Subsequently, leak tests may be conducted while the topopening of the flexible sleeve 18 is sealed by the membrane element 100.The membrane element 100 may then be cut away after the leak tests arefinished. Thereafter, the outer flange 16 may receive the plumbingfixture discharge, such as the distal portion of a toilet, to completethe installation.

It should be appreciated that the breadth and scope of the invention(s)should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the followingclaims and their equivalents. Moreover, the above advantages andfeatures are provided in described embodiments, but shall not limit theapplication of the claims to processes and structures accomplishing anyor all of the above advantages.

Additionally, the section headings herein are provided for consistencywith the suggestions under 37 CFR 1.77 or otherwise to provideorganizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize theinvention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure.Specifically and by way of example, although the headings refer to a“Technical Field,” the claims should not be limited by the languagechosen under this heading to describe the so-called technical field.Further, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not to beconstrued as an admission that technology is prior art to anyinvention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Brief Summary” to beconsidered as a characterization of the invention(s) set forth in theclaims found herein. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to“invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there isonly a single point of novelty claimed in this disclosure. Multipleinventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multipleclaims associated with this disclosure, and the claims accordinglydefine the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protectedthereby. In all instances, the scope of the claims shall be consideredon their own merits in light of the specification, but should not beconstrained by the headings set forth herein.

1. A flange apparatus for connecting between a plumbing fixturedischarge and waste drainpipe outlet, comprising: a sleeve operable tobe disposed between the plumbing fixture discharge and waste drainpipeoutlet, the sleeve having a flexible lower portion, the sleeve furtherhaving an inwardly extending lip at an upper portion of the sleeve, thelip being sufficiently flexible to deflect downward when engaged by theplumbing fixture discharge; and a flexible membrane element integrallyconnected to the upper portion, whereby the membrane element seals anopening of the sleeve formed centrally in the upper portion.
 2. A flangeapparatus according to claim 1, wherein a groove is formed in theflexible membrane element.
 3. A flange apparatus according to claim 1,wherein a plurality of grooves are formed in the flexible membraneelement.
 4. A flange apparatus according to claim 3, wherein theplurality of grooves comprise circular, lateral, and peripheral groovesthat are interconnected to provide a contiguous cutting path.
 5. Aflange apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve and theflexible membrane element are formed of a unitary material having ahardness in the range of about 35 shore A to about 75 shore A.
 6. Aflange apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve and theflexible membrane element are formed of different materials.
 7. A flangeapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the sleeveincludes one or more corrugated portions along the lower portion toimpart additional flexibility to the sleeve.
 8. A flange apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the sleeve is capableof at least 10 degrees of deflection.
 9. A flange apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising one or more sealing elements disposed abouta lower portion of the sleeve.
 10. A flange apparatus according to claim9, wherein the one or more sealing elements are integrally formed withthe lower portion of the sleeve and define a longitudinal distance,whereby the one or more sealing elements has a maximum diameter at itsupper longitudinal end and generally decreases in diameter to its lowerlongitudinal end.
 11. A flange apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising an outer flange connected to the sleeve, the outer flangebeing operable to be seated against a surface disposed substantiallybetween the plumbing fixture discharge and the waste drainpipe outlet.12. A flange apparatus for connecting between a plumbing fixturedischarge and waste drainpipe outlet, comprising: an outer flange forseating against a surface disposed substantially between the plumbingfixture discharge and the waste drainpipe outlet; a sleeve connected tothe outer flange, the sleeve being formed of a flexible material suchthat a first end of the sleeve can be distorted relative to a second endof the sleeve; and a flexible membrane element integrally connected toan upper portion of the sleeve, whereby the membrane element seals anopening of the sleeve formed centrally in the upper portion.
 13. Aflange apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a groove is formed inthe flexible membrane element.
 14. A flange apparatus according to claim12 wherein a plurality of grooves are formed in the flexible membraneelement.
 15. A flange apparatus according to claim 14, wherein theplurality of grooves comprise circular, lateral, and peripheral groovesthat are interconnected to provide a contiguous cutting path.
 16. Aflange apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising one or moresealing elements disposed about a lower portion of the sleeve.
 17. Aflange apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the one or more sealingelements are integrally formed with the lower portion of the sleeve anddefine a longitudinal distance, whereby the one or more sealing elementshas a maximum diameter at its upper longitudinal end and generallydecreases in diameter to its lower longitudinal end.
 18. A method forconnecting a plumbing fixture discharge having a first longitudinal axisto a waste drainpipe outlet having a second longitudinal axis, the firstand second longitudinal axes being incongruous, the method comprising:disposing a flange through a surface, the flange having: a flexiblesleeve having a first end, wherein the first end of the flexible sleevehas a longitudinal axis corresponding to the first longitudinal axis;and a flexible membrane connected to a first end of the sleeve, wherebythe membrane element seals an opening of the sleeve formed centrally inthe first end; distorting the flexible sleeve such that a second end ofthe flexible sleeve has a longitudinal axis corresponding to the secondlongitudinal axis; connecting the second end of the flexible sleeve tothe waste drain pipe outlet; removing the flexible membrane; andconnecting the plumbing fixture discharge to the flange to establishfluid-tight communication from the plumbing fixture discharge, throughthe flange, and into the waste drain pipe outlet.
 19. A method accordingto claim 18, further comprising the steps of applying hydrostatic or airpressure inside the waste drainpipe outlet, whereby the flexiblemembrane is operable to substantially maintain the applied pressureunless an in-line leak is present, and relieving the applied pressure toallow for the removal of the flexible membrane.
 20. A method accordingto claim 18, wherein the flexible membrane includes a groove formedtherein, and wherein removing the flexible membrane comprises cuttingthrough the flexible membrane along the groove.
 21. A method accordingto claim 18, wherein disposing a flange through a surface comprisesconnecting the flange to an outer flange and securing the outer flangeagainst the surface.
 22. A method according to claim 18, whereindistorting the flexible sleeve comprises manual bending of the flexiblesleeve to achieve deflection of greater than at least ten degreesmeasured by the angular displacement of the second longitudinal axisrelative to the first longitudinal axis.